When artist and founder of Rochester Square, Francesca Anfossi, and her partner, former banker Eric Wragge, came across an old clothes workshop on a residential street in Camden, north London, they immediately saw its potential. Their interest was piqued by the large, open space hidden behind an unassuming front door and the unique conservatory which, over the years they’ve lived here, has been used as an art studio, housed a beloved collection of plants and played host to numerous dinner parties. More recently, however, it’s become somewhere their two sons, Filippo, 10, and Martino, eight, can hone their painting and skateboarding skills.

It was 2006 when Francesca and Eric began renovating their new home. After three years, and with a little help from their friends (from the building work to the art on the walls, almost everything is made by people the couple are well acquainted with) they transformed the former workspace into an eclectic home, with a spacious living area for entertaining upstairs and peaceful bedrooms in the basement for rest. As their home comes on the market, Francesca and Eric reflect on their self-designed space and tell us why it’s the perfect place for social butterflies and families alike.

Francesca: “We were living in Bloomsbury before we bought this place in 2006. Back then, it was being used as a workshop to make samples for a high street fashion brand. We fell in love with the large open space – we were surprised it went so far back – and the conservatory. I love plants and I wanted a studio, so that’s why I was first attracted to this place.

“We rented the upstairs flat while we were renovating. It took us three years: we put in all the bedrooms on the lower floor; the kitchen was completely new. I designed everything. And everything in the house is made by friends of mine – whether that’s carpenter or builders.”

Eric: “It took two years to get all the planning permissions. We needed everyone in the building to agree it would be OK for us to underpin it all the way around and put a basement at the back. There was just earth down there before, so we completely dug it out. We moved in in 2009.

“We liked the idea of having a super big, social space upstairs and then being able to go downstairs, where it’s really quiet, and find the spaces for sleeping.”

Francesca: “It was our first project together. I was young and excited by anything, so there were a lot of eclectic choices that went into the design to make our home so playful.

“I’m an artist, and material and colour are central to the way I live. We have a mix of vintage and modern furniture. I do lots of art exchanges with my artist friends and it’s very important for me to live with art. I work with Canopy Collections who showcase art in real-world settings – their first show was set in my house and included works by many of our friends.

“There’s a lot of influence from my home country. I come from Italy, very near Carrara, so there’s Carrara marble in the kitchen. Funnily enough, the tiles on the floor in the dining space and kitchen are really popular now but weren’t when I chose them. The tiles are typical of ones you find in Turin with a classic Italian pattern, but it was so difficult to source at the time. Now it’s everywhere! The floor in the living space was inspired by Tate Modern.

“We also kept a lot of existing things, like the brick fireplace in the dining space and the wooden part of the front windows. I love the front glass – it’s private but lets the light in.”

Eric: “The façade is exactly the same. We liked the idea that you could just go down the street and walk straight past us. Then people pop their head in the front door and they’re like, ‘woah.’ You don’t expect to have a big house here – and we liked that.”

Francesca: “My favourite space is the kitchen. I love cooking and always so bright and airy.”

Eric: “For me, it’s the garden and rear bedroom. I love waking up downstairs and seeing all the flowers outside the window, with the sun coming in. Even when the rain is pouring down, I love it. I love sleeping with the door slightly open, leading out to the garden.”

Francesca: “The outdoor space is interesting. We have the conservatory, which feels like part of the garden, and there are lots of plants in there. If I didn’t have children, I would have even more plants – but my children now use the room for skateboarding! The garden is like a small courtyard. I love it, it feels quite tropical. I’m going to miss it.

“The wall is covered in jasmine, which has an amazing smell. Then we’ve got a very interesting rose on the left. There’s a big bay leaf, which is very useful for cooking. There’s also agapanthus – I really like them, because also they flower quite late. Downstairs we have potted plants. It’s a very good space to put the pots. My father was an agricultural farmer, and I grew up surrounded by plants, flowers and vegetables. It’s in my roots.

“The conservatory used to be my studio before I opened Rochester Square, which is around the corner from here. It’s a community ceramic studio with 30 artists. A lot of the ceramics we have around the house are from my friends and artists I work with.

“Now, the kids use the conservatory to make all the mess they want! There are usually materials everywhere. They love to run and cycle around the house – it’s like a constant race. And they like to play hide and seek, and this place is perfect for that.”

Eric: “I think it’s perfect for entertaining too. People come in and have drinks in the kitchen, then we move to eat dinner in the conservatory. If people want to get crazy, we dance in the living space. Then, when it starts to wind down, we go to the back of the garden and hang out around the fire pit.”

Francesca: “We’re only moving down the road – I really feel like a part of this area because of my involvement with Rochester Square. I would love it if the person who buys this place becomes a part of the community too.

“We’ve really enjoyed living here and we’ll be sad to leave but this house will suit anybody. We’re a family with two kids – perfect. I was 26 when we bought it – perfect. If you’re single, lucky you – you have a big space. While I think it’s suited to anyone, it will definitely have a particular appeal for somebody who likes socialising a lot.”

Eric: “I think the person who moves here will be really happy. And I hope they enjoy it.”